Live Nation and Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts welcomes back comedian AZIZ ANSARI to the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia, Pa. on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. & 10 p.m.
Ansari has quickly established his presence in the comedy world. He is currently starring in a popular television series, is developing a number of films and will soon debut his second hour-long standup special. The Hollywood Reporter said that he "has become one of the most prolific writers and performers on the comedy scene in recent years" and Rolling Stone recently placed him on the cover of their special comedy issue labeling him "the funniest man under 30." In addition, Paste Magazine has named him one of the "Top 10 Comedians of the Decade." Ansari also wrapped a much buzzed about gig as the host of the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.
Tickets are available at $35 to $45, plus applicable service charges, and can be purchased at kimmelcenter.org, 215-893-1999, or at the box office located at Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia, Pa. (open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., later on performance evenings).
Ansari co-stars opposite of Amy Poehler in the Emmy nominated NBC series, "Parks and Recreation, "The series received its first Emmy nomination in 2011 for "Outstanding Comedy Series." Ansari's portrayal of government employee 'Tom Haverford,' has earned him much critical praise including Entertainment Weekly naming him one of their "Breakout TV Stars," TV Guide naming him a "Scene Stealer" and Yahoo! TV placing him in the number one spot on their list of "TV MVPS: The Most Valuable Performers of the Fall Season." People Magazine recently named him 2011's "Funniest Dude in Prime Time."
Ansari is also keeping busy in the film world starring in the action comedy 30 Minutes or Less opposite Jesse Eisenberg and Danny McBride. He voiced a character in Twentieth Century Fox's "Ice Age: Continental Drift." Mandate Pictures also picked up a comedy feature pitch by Ansari and Matt Hubbard, which he will star in alongside Danny McBride. Additionally, Ansari is developing three films for Judd Apatow and Universal with Director Jason Woliner. The collaboration with Apatow began on Universal's Funny People, where Ansari created the popular character of 'Raaaaaaaandy,' who went on to become a viral hit on FunnyOrDie.com. Ansari also appears in Get Him to the Greek alongside Russell Brand, Jonah Hill and Sean 'Diddy' Combs, as a co-worker of Hill's character. He has had roles in the hit comedies I Love You, Man and Observe and Report.
In 2010, Ansari released an hour long standup special on Comedy Central titled, "Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening." The special and subsequent DVD/CD were both extremely successful and the album continues to be a mainstay on iTunes' comedy best-seller list. Ansari has also become a regular on the late night circuit with recent memorable appearances on "The Late Show with David Letterman," "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien," and "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
Ansari recently wrapped up a major multi-city standup tour called the "Dangerously Delicious Tour" and will soon release this as another hour long standup special. He began performing standup in 2001 while attending NYU and continues to perform at venues all over the world today. In 2005, Rolling Stone named him their choice for "Hot Standup" on their annual Hot List, and he was also awarded the Jury Award for Best Standup at the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen in 2006.
Ansari first came to audiences attention on MTV's hit sketch comedy series, "Human Giant." The series is based around short films starring Ansari, along with Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer. Many of their sketches have become internet sensations and have popularized the trio with young people all across the US. Ansari also had a very memorable guest starring role on HBO's "Flight of the Conchords," in which he portrayed a racist fruit vendor and was seen in a multi-episode arc on "Scrubs."
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